Corner molding



Aug 17, 1965 l R. B. JOHNSON 3,200,547

CORNER MOLDING Filed July 1, 196s INVENTOR, i055?? Joa/M50# United States Patent O 3,200,547 CRNER- MDLDNG Robert B. Johnson, Peekskill, NY., assigner to Standard Coated Products Incorporated, Buchanan, NX., a corporation' of New York Filed `Iuly 1, 1963, Ser. No. 291,760 3 Claims. (Cl. 52-288) This invention relates to protective and decorative wall and corridor treatment, and is particularly concerned with an improved molding construction for use on angular surfaces of walls, corridors and the like.

The angular surfaces for which the novel molding of this invention is designed are normally formed by planar lsurfaces meeting at 90 angles, which will for convenience be'called inside corners, or by planar surfaces meeting at 270 angles, conveniently designated outside corners. The molding of 'this invention is thus appropriately called a corner molding.

My corner molding is useful on both inside and outside angular surfaces of rooms, corridors, doorways and the like, including surfaces of wall and floor or ceiling. Inside corners do not normally need protection from abusive contact in the vsame way as do outside corners, but an advantage of a corner molding Which can be used interchangeably on either inside or outside cornersV is that a designer has the opportunity of providing a panelled or uniform decorative design throughout the building, asv well as providing a functional molding wherever it is needed. Since the corner molding of this invention is iiexible, it is equally usable if the sides of the corners are curved, 'either convex or concave, or if the angle at the corner is substantially more or less than 90, varying within a range of to 360, for either inside or outside corners.

My corner moldings are particularly useful for .protecting protruding corners in areas of heavy traiiic, such as in institutions including hospitals, administrative buildings and factories, where carts and carriers are used for distribution of supplies, drugs, mail, etc., or Where furniture is moved often; as Well as in many areas of homes, such as childrens rooms and recreation rooms, where Wall or corridor corners are subject to Wear or abuse. Other areas in which these corner moldings may be Valuable include such corners as at elevator' openings, where brief cases and hand-carried objects might strike the corners; at doorways, and any other projecting edge or corner which may be subject to abuse. These corner moldings are also useful to protect rough, unfinished corners, or to cover the parting line between surface coverings which meet at corners, and in many other applications. The corners to which these moldings are applied may be decorated or protected with Wallpaper or coated fabric, with paint or other coating, or may be plaster, masonry, metal, or any other material of construction, finished or unfinished.

In my copending patent application Serial No. 272,705,

tiled April 12, 1963, is described a plastic molding strip for use ony Walls, to cover the parting line between wall coverings, or to protect Walls and wall coverings from abuse at the levels of wear. Said molding strip was designed to replace the typical Wooden moldings which are normally used for these purposes. wooden molding is not at all applicable for use around corners of walls, corridors, doorways and the like, and neither is the molding strip of Serial No. 272,705. The corner molding which I have now-invented -is designed for areas which were heretofore'not susceptible to protection or decoration ofthis sort. y f

My new corner molding not only provides these previously unavailable advantages, but it is extremely simple to apply, and is applicable equally well to corners whose However, standard surfaces are characterized lay-irregularities or imperfections of construction or design, as well as to normally smooth surfaces. This molding is dimensionally stable to elastic stretch, and thus deformation of the molding during application, with subsequent elastic recovery and the formation of gaps at the ends or seams of the molding strips, is virtually eliminated, along with any resultant impairment of appearance. A tight bond and attractive appearance is obtained even on application to irregular wall surfaces, due to the couformability obtained from an inner layer of deformable plastic. For utilitarian purposes, the basic requirement in an outsideV corner moldingV is to protect the wall covering or wall surfaces from Wear and abuse at protruding edges. The molding ofthis invention is made preferably of a tough, senti-resistant plastic material, such as foamed vinyl plastic, so tha-t the protection achieved is due both to the resistance ofthe foamed vinyl to scuffing and impact, `and the high abrasive resistance of the plastic surface of the molding.

The purposes and advantages ofmy invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed-description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of walls showing -rny new corner molding.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional detail view showing the molding applied to an outside corner, taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional detail view showing the molding applied to an inside corner, taken on line 3 3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom plan view of a corner molding constructed according to this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-section of the molding of this invention, taken on line 5 5 of FIGURE 4.

Brieiy, the novel corner molding construction of my invention comprises a laminar structure which is hinged to conform to the angular surfaces of the corner. The outer layer of said laminar structure is a normally flat, elongated member of semi-rigid but deformable plastic material. Along the inner surface of this member, in spaced relation to the edges thereof and normally equidistantv from these edges, is a V-shaped groove, running the entire length of the outer member of the molding construction. This groove forms the corner hinge of the molding. On both sides of this groove, disposed on the inner surface of the outer member and substantially iilling this inner surface, is an interior layer of substantially deformable foamed plastic material, which interior layer isdiscontinuous at the line of said V-shaped groove, providing an open recess on each side of the groove. outer and interior members are permanently bonded to each other by an adhesive layer, and the interior layer carries on its innermost surface a layer of a normally tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive material, with which it is ultimately bonded to the surfaces of the corner. Before application to the corner, a removable sealing or protecting sheet is disposed over the exposed surface ofv the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The outer member of the molding has inturned flanged edges which enclose peripherally the interior members, which flanges extend beyondthe plane of the interior members, so that on application to the corner surfaces, the flanges are deformed to provide firm external contact of the outer member with the angular wall surfaces. In a preferred embodiment the outer and interior members are constructed of foamedA plastic, and the V-shaped groove at the line. atwhich the hinge is desired is conveniently provided by collapsing the foamed plastic outer layer on its inner surface along the desired line. Said groove should be suiiiciently deep to. provide the necessary flexibility, without weakening the construction. The molding may be bent either inwardly Patented Aug. 17, 1965 y The or outwardly,v and ineither case provides a smooth hinge along the line of the groove.

Referring to FIGURE l, the angular surfaces to which the molding of this invention is applied are illustrated by both outside corners as shown in detail in FIGURE 2,

or inside corners 11, as shown in detail in FIGURE 3.

` Such corners are ordinarily right angles, and are illustrated as such, but the molding of this invention is equally well adapted to be used on angular surfaces which meet at angles substantially more or less than 90, ranging fromV virtually flat surfaces to acute angles as the molding sides are bent at the hinge through 90 in either direction. Thus, the word corner isY intended to comprehend angular surfaces which meet at angles other than 90, and as discussed above these corners may be those of walls, corridors,V doorways, panelling,r shelves andthe like.

As seen in FIGURE 4, and in section in FIGURES 2, 3 and 5, the article comprises a laminar structure having an outer member 12 which is an elongated strip of deformable plasticfcomposition having parallel edges 13`and inturned flanges l4terminating each parallel edge. These flanges preferably form about a right angle with the plane of the Aouter member, as shown in FIGURE 5, and extend inwardly to a plane even with or preferably slightly beyond the plane of the entire laminar structure. Thus,

when the article-is affixed to corners, as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the inwardly extending ilangesare deformed into firm sealing contact with the surfaces vof the corners.

The outer member 12 carries a V-shaped groove 15 on its inner surface along its entirelength, parallel with the edges 13 lof said outer member and in spaced relation thereto, normally equidistant from said edges, although the groove may if desired be oif center, to provide greater protection along one side ofthe angular surface than the other. This groove may be formed in the outer member in a variety of ways; for example, during extrusion of the outer member, from the design of the extrusion die; or by using a V-shaped heating device, after forming the outer member of foamed vinyl or other plastic, to

collapse the foam in order to form the hinge :at'the deshape of the groove which acts as hinge is such that the'k angle of the sides of the groove permit the molding to be either bent back'on itself to form a tight inside corner,

or to open up to fit snugly at the desired angle around an outside corner.

The grooved inner face of the outer member 12 carries on it two interior members 16 and 17, disposed in the recess between the anges 14 and in spaced relation there-r to, andV separated from each other by the groove 15 and Alternatively, the` in spaced relation to said groove, whereby bending the outer member at said groove is readily achieved without interference from the interior members. The flanges 14 enclose peripherally said interior members but the` flanges themselves are free of contact with the interior members and overhang and extend inwardly to a plane even with or slightly beyond .the plane of the interior members.

The interior members 16 and 17 are resilientcon'V formable foamed plastic strips.

hesive layer may be any adhesive effective to bond plastic members, including pressure-sensitiveadhesive. The inner face of these interior members, after bonding to the` outer member,V carries a coating of normally tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive 19, for adhesion in use, when applied with simple pressure to the surfaces of the corner.

They are adheredby anv adhesive layer 18 to the outer member 12. This ad-l As illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, the surfaces of the adhesive layers 19 are covered, beforethefconstruction is applied to a corner, without removable sealing sheets 20, such as paper or cellophane, to maintain and protect the normally tacky and pressure-sensitive condition' of the adhesive. The interiorsurface of the entire construction after removel ofthe sealing sheets lies, as stated above, in a plane which lieswithin the plane connecting the tips of the flanges 14; that is, the plane` joining the edges ofthe flanges protrudes` beyondv the'adhesive surface on the interior members.

The outer member 12 shouldbe ldeformably thin in the regions of the flanges 14;,the balance of the molding may be of any cross-section, but is preferably thin and uniform. When the molding vis applied to a corner, the sealing sheets 205are stripped olf and the molding is simply pressed to the corner`surfaces. Adhesion is obtained at the pressure-sensitive adhesive'layers 19, and the foamed inner members 16 and 17 conform to and provide irm contact even with irregular surfaces. The overhanging anges 14 are deformed outwardly, as shown in FIGURES l2 kand 3, 'into sealing con-` 'to be bent att'he grooved hinge and jat the flanged edges,

and is preferably constructed of afoamed, placticized resin, preferably a'vinyl or other resin having a tough, resistant-surface. VThe interior vmembers are preferably more resilientA and deformable than" the outer member, in order to conform lto any irregularitiesin the Ysurfaces to which Athese members are adhered. The interior and outer members may be Vmade by casting or extruding plastisol compositions Ycomprising resinous particles, a blowing agent, anda suitable plasticizen'adjusting the ingredients to provide the desired cellular structure, nexibility, and other characteristics as set forth herein'. Other ingredients may also be compounded with the, plastisol, such as coloring Hagents, stabilizers, .iillers, flame retardants, andthe like. l

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the outer member 12 is constructedof a more rigid, denser foamed material than the interior members I17 and 18, which are preferably more porous and flexible, for optimum conformability to minor irregulartiesin the surfaces to which the molding is adhered. In practice Vthe interior members shouldl be at least about 1A@ inch thick, the thickness limited for reasons of economy, appearance, and design, and may be fabricated VVof any of the resins previously described, with appropriate plasticizers andother additives, and foamed by kstandard procedures, to produce a foamed material of the desired properties. The thin cross section vof therinterior members shown in the drawings is preferred for its obvious economy of materials'.` The outer member 12 obviously need not beV of the very thin cross section shown except yat the region ofthe flanged edges13. The main body of the molding could be Vof arcuate cross section, corrugated, or otherwise decorated.

In similar fashion, the resin v'composition of the members could widely varied. Similarly, the strips can be used flat as well as 'at-corners, for a wide variety of decorative and functional purposes. These and.A other modifications can ben-lade inthe specific embodiment of the invention illustrated, without? departing from the scope of the invention, as representedinVV the followingY claims:

What is claimed is:V i f v 1. In-.combintion-with'an,angular surface, anelongated hinged plastic moldingbridging lthe abutting edges of said angular surface and overlying the adjacent portions thereof, said hinged plastic moldingL comprising a laminar structure having a hinged outer member of deformable foamed plastic and interior members, said outer member having inturned anges at the edges thereof and a recess between the flanges; a hinge comprising a V-shaped groove running the length of said outer member, parallel with and in spaced relation to the edges of the outer member, said groove disposed on the inner face of the outer member and forming said hinge around which the molding is bent; a pair of interior members of deformable foamed plastic in adhesive contact with the recess on either side of the hinge and periphery enclosed by said flanges; and an adhesive on the surfaces of the interior members whereby said members are adhered to the adjacent portions of the angular surface as the molding is bent at the hinge, and said flanges are in firm contact with the adjacent portions of the angular surface.

2. A molding for application to angular surfaces, comprising a hinged laminar structure having an outer member of deformable foamed plastic and inturned deformable flanges at the edges thereof and a recess between the anges; a V-shaped groove running the length of said outer member, parallel with and in spaced relation to the edges of the outer member, said groove disposed on the inner face of the outer member and forming a hinge around which the molding may be bent; a pair of interior members of deformable foamed plastic disposed in the recess between the flanges and peripherally enclosed thereby, said recess being lled to less than its depth by said interior members, such that said flanges overhang beyond the plane of said interior members;

said interior members being separated by said groove and adhered to the recess between the flanges by a layer of adhesive material; a layer of a `normally tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive material disposed on the inner surfaces of the interior members; and a removable sealing sheet disposed over said pressure-sensitive adhesive layer in sealing engagement, whereby said adhesive layer is completely enclosed for maintaining its normally tacky and pressure-sensitive condition before use of the article, said sealing sheet being releasable from said adhesive layer to expose the same for adhering said molding to angular surfaces by application of pressure, whereby 6 said flanges are deformed to provide rm contact with said angular surfaces.

3. A molding for application to angular surfaces, comprising a hinged laminar structure having an outer member of deformable foamed vinyl plastic having a generally planar outer surface and deformable flanges at the edges thereof and a recess between the flanges; a V-shaped groove running the length of said outer member, parallel with and in spaced relation to the edges of the outer member, said groove disposed on the inner face of the outer member and forming a hinge around which the molding may be bent; a pair of interior members of deformable foamed plastic disposed in the recess between the flanges and peripherally enclosed thereby, said recess being filled to less than its depth by said interior members, such that said flanges overhang beyond the plane of said interior members; said interior members separated by said groove and adhered to the recess between the flanges by a layer of .adhesive material; a layer of a normally tack pressure-sensitive adhesive material disposed on the surfaces of the interior members; and a removable protecting sheet disposed over said pressure-sensitive adhesive layer in sealing engagement, whereby said adhesive layer is completely enclosed for maintaining its normally tacky and pressure-sensitive condition before use of the article, said sealing sheet being releasable from said adhesive layer to expose the same for adhering said molding to angular surfaces byk application of pressure, whereby said overhanging flanges are deformed to provide firm contact with said surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,057,873 10/36 Atwood 161--406 X 2,643,423 =10/53 Brendel 20-74 2,791,527 5/57 Gawrysiak 20-74 X 2,831,049 4/58 Cabral 20-74 X 2,867,864 1/ 59 Githens 20-74 X HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH AN ANGULAR SURFACE, AN ELONGATED HINGED PLASTIC MOLDING BRIDGING THE ABUTTING EDGES OF SAID ANGULAR SURFACE AND OVERLYING THE ADJACENT PORTIONS THEREOF, SAID HINGED PLASTIC MOLDING COMPRISING A LAMINAR STRUCTURE HAVING A HINGED OUTER MEMBER OF DEFORMABLE FOAMED PLASTIC AND INTERIOR MEMBERS, SAID OUTER MEMBER HAVING INTURNED FLANGES AT THE EDGES THEREOF AND A RECESS BETWEEN THE FLANGES; A HINGE COMPRISING A V-SHAPED GROOVE RUNNING THE LENGTH OF SAID OUTER MEMBER, PARALLEL WITH AND IN SPACED RELATION TO THE EDGES OF THE OUTER MEMBER, SAID GROOVE DISPOSED ON THE INNER FACE OF THE OUTER MEMBER AND FORMING SAID HINGE AROUND WHICH THE MOLDING IS BENT; A PAIR OF INTERIOR MEMBERS OF DEFORMABLE FOAMED PLASTIC IN ADHESIVE CONTACT WITH THE RECESS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HINGE AND PERIPHERY ENCLOSED BY SAID FLANGES; AND AN ADHESIVE ON THE SURFACES OF THE INTERIOR MEMBERS WHEREBY SAID MEMBERS ARE ADHERED TO THE ADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE ANGULAR SURFACE AS THE MOLDING IS BENT AT THE HINGE, AND SAID FLANGES ARE IN FIRM CONTACT WITH THE ADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE ANGULAR SURFACE. 